The '''European Football Championships''' of 2012 will be held in [[Poland]] [http://www.polishguide2012.pl/en/] and [[Ukraine]] [http://euro2012.ukrinform.ua/en/]. Matches will run from June 8th – July 1st.

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The '''European Football Championships''' of 2012 will be held in [[Poland]] [http://www.polishguide2012.pl/en/] and [[Ukraine]]. Matches will run from June 8th – July 1st.

==Prepare==

==Prepare==

===Tickets===

===Tickets===

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Ticket sales to supporters of all the participating national associations ran from 12 December 2011 until 2 March 2012 via the 16 team-specific fan sales portals on the UEFA Euro 2012 website.

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Resale tickets from people who are unable to certain matches can be bought on various places on the internet, though the ''Official UEFA EURO 2012 ticket portal'' [https://ticketing.uefa.com/euro2012-en/default.aspx] is the most reliable and trustworthy place to purchase these.

In Poland special '''cards for travelers''' coming for the tournament were prepared. They can be used as a train, or public transportation tickets in host cities, provide discounts and also carry health insurance [http://www.polishpass.org/poland2012/].

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In Poland special '''traveler cards''' have been prepared for the tournament. They can be used for train, or public transportation tickets in host cities, provide discounts and also carry health insurance [http://www.polishpass.org/poland2012/].

'''"Ukranian Express"''' high-speed trains will start running between the four Ukrainian EURO 2012 host cities on May 15. Tickets for this service will become available via the Internet from May 1.

'''"Ukranian Express"''' high-speed trains will start running between the four Ukrainian EURO 2012 host cities on May 15. Tickets for this service will become available via the Internet from May 1.

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Seventeen trains will be added to the service between Ukraine and Poland for the duration of the tournament, and tickets for this can be bought from March.

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Seventeen trains will be added to the Ukraine-Poland service between for the duration of the tournament, with tickets on sale from March.

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Polish trains have diverse standards. Express trains are of the highest standard, while the regional & slower trains mostly date back to the Soviet era. Both Express and Regional are divided into first and second class carriages, though you may want to consider first class tickets, as the price difference between the second and first class is not so big. The jump in comfort may be substantial but then it is also common to see trains where 2nd class carriages are recently renovated and 1st class carriages are old and correspondingly low quality. Intercity trains and many express trains have a separate restaurant car, with some also having special smoking compartments. Long-distance trains are often equipped with additional sleeping-cars.

Polish trains have diverse standards. Express trains are of the highest standard, while the regional & slower trains mostly date back to the Soviet era. Both Express and Regional are divided into first and second class carriages, though you may want to consider first class tickets, as the price difference between the second and first class is not so big. The jump in comfort may be substantial but then it is also common to see trains where 2nd class carriages are recently renovated and 1st class carriages are old and correspondingly low quality. Intercity trains and many express trains have a separate restaurant car, with some also having special smoking compartments. Long-distance trains are often equipped with additional sleeping-cars.

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The polish road network contains fewer highways and more ordinary two-lane roads than is common in western countries, and is in general of low quality. A lot of these roads are far below capacity for the volume of traffic they are carrying and the average quality of the road surface is poor. All vehicles are required to use headlights, night and day, all year round.

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The Polish road network contains fewer highways and more ordinary two-lane roads than is common in western countries, and is in general of low quality. A lot of these roads are far below capacity for the volume of traffic they are carrying and the average quality of the road surface is poor. All vehicles are required to use headlights, night and day, all year round.

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You must possess a valid International Driving Licence to drive legally in Ukraine. You must have original vehicle-registration papers, ownership documents and insurance papers available at all times. These will be required when crossing borders and if you are stopped by the police when driving. This is also valid for rental vehicles. If you do not have these papers when stopped by the police they have the right to impound your vehicle and charge you for this.

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Ukrainian law allows the police to stop a vehicle. The police officer should give their name and rank, explain the reason why you have been stopped and make an administrative offence report in the case of a traffic violation. Fines have to be paid at a bank within fifteen days. There is a zero tolerance policy on drink driving. Road conditions in Ukraine, especially in rural areas, can often be extremely hazardous, especially at night.

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==Host Cities==

==Host Cities==

[[Image:Old Town Square in Warsaw.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|Warsaw's picturesque ''Old Town Square'' at dusk.]]

[[Image:Old Town Square in Warsaw.jpeg|thumb|right|200px|Warsaw's picturesque ''Old Town Square'' at dusk.]]

Both countries, especially Ukraine, have a history of football-related violence. 'Ultras' hooligan gangs have been known to launch violent attacks on rival supporters at international fixtures, and with thousands of people from 16 nations attending, there is a risk of tensions breaking loose with such a foreign presence in the region. Black, Asian, mixed race, Russian & German visitors should be '''particularly''' vigilant against far-right nationalist groups linked to these gangs.

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If you aren't lucky enough to have tickets to the games, you can still visit Poland and Ukraine during the European Championships for the atmosphere. There is a definite buzz in both countries about hosting such a prestigious event, and '''Mobile Fan Zones''' have been launched in more than 100 Polish/Ukranian towns & Cities where many games will be televised on big screens. You could try going to the host cities to be with other fans. Another alternative is to head to where your Countries' '''team base camp''' and watch an open training session. Here's a list of where the national teams will be based:

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* [[Croatia]] – [[Warka]]

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* [[Czech Republic]] – [[Wrocław]]

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* [[Denmark]] – [[Kołobrzeg]]

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* [[England]] – [[Kraków]]

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* [[France]] – [[Donetsk]]

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* [[Germany]] – [[Gdańsk]]

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* [[Greece]] – [[Jachranka]]

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* [[Italy]] – [[Kraków]]

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* [[Netherlands]] – [[Kraków]]

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* [[Poland]] – [[Warsaw]]

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* [[Portugal]] – [[Opalenica]]

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* [[Republic of Ireland]] – [[Sopot]]

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* [[Russia]] – [[Warsaw]]

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* [[Spain]] – [[Gniewino]]

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* [[Sweden]] – Koncha-Zaspa, [[Kiev]]

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* [[Ukraine]] – Chapaevka, [[Kiev]]

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== Stay safe ==

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Both countries, especially Ukraine, have a history of football-related violence. 'Ultras' hooligan gangs have been known to launch violent attacks on rival supporters at international fixtures, and with thousands of people from 16 nations attending, there is a risk of tensions breaking loose with such a foreign presence in the region. Black, Asian, Russian & German visitors should be particularly vigilant against far-right nationalist groups linked to these gangs.

The relevant authorities are '''well aware''' of these potential troublemakers, and are taking the appropriate security measures in preparation to the ensure the safety of visiting supporters. In general, '''common sense''' such as staying in large numbers of your own fans and being within a visible police-supervised presence are simple measures that should keep you well away from any risks of getting into any sort of danger on match days.

The relevant authorities are '''well aware''' of these potential troublemakers, and are taking the appropriate security measures in preparation to the ensure the safety of visiting supporters. In general, '''common sense''' such as staying in large numbers of your own fans and being within a visible police-supervised presence are simple measures that should keep you well away from any risks of getting into any sort of danger on match days.

Ticket sales to supporters of all the participating national associations ran from 12 December 2011 until 2 March 2012 via the 16 team-specific fan sales portals on the UEFA Euro 2012 website.

Resale tickets from people who are unable to certain matches can be bought on various places on the internet, though the Official UEFA EURO 2012 ticket portal[3] is the most reliable and trustworthy place to purchase these.

In Poland special traveler cards have been prepared for the tournament. They can be used for train, or public transportation tickets in host cities, provide discounts and also carry health insurance [6].

"Ukranian Express" high-speed trains will start running between the four Ukrainian EURO 2012 host cities on May 15. Tickets for this service will become available via the Internet from May 1.

Seventeen trains will be added to the Ukraine-Poland service between for the duration of the tournament, with tickets on sale from March.

Polish trains have diverse standards. Express trains are of the highest standard, while the regional & slower trains mostly date back to the Soviet era. Both Express and Regional are divided into first and second class carriages, though you may want to consider first class tickets, as the price difference between the second and first class is not so big. The jump in comfort may be substantial but then it is also common to see trains where 2nd class carriages are recently renovated and 1st class carriages are old and correspondingly low quality. Intercity trains and many express trains have a separate restaurant car, with some also having special smoking compartments. Long-distance trains are often equipped with additional sleeping-cars.

The Polish road network contains fewer highways and more ordinary two-lane roads than is common in western countries, and is in general of low quality. A lot of these roads are far below capacity for the volume of traffic they are carrying and the average quality of the road surface is poor. All vehicles are required to use headlights, night and day, all year round.

You must possess a valid International Driving Licence to drive legally in Ukraine. You must have original vehicle-registration papers, ownership documents and insurance papers available at all times. These will be required when crossing borders and if you are stopped by the police when driving. This is also valid for rental vehicles. If you do not have these papers when stopped by the police they have the right to impound your vehicle and charge you for this.

Ukrainian law allows the police to stop a vehicle. The police officer should give their name and rank, explain the reason why you have been stopped and make an administrative offence report in the case of a traffic violation. Fines have to be paid at a bank within fifteen days. There is a zero tolerance policy on drink driving. Road conditions in Ukraine, especially in rural areas, can often be extremely hazardous, especially at night.

The following eight cities will be hosting all the matches for the tournament. For information about travel, accommodation, restaurants and other activities in the cities, please see the individual city guides.

If you aren't lucky enough to have tickets to the games, you can still visit Poland and Ukraine during the European Championships for the atmosphere. There is a definite buzz in both countries about hosting such a prestigious event, and Mobile Fan Zones have been launched in more than 100 Polish/Ukranian towns & Cities where many games will be televised on big screens. You could try going to the host cities to be with other fans. Another alternative is to head to where your Countries' team base camp and watch an open training session. Here's a list of where the national teams will be based:

Both countries, especially Ukraine, have a history of football-related violence. 'Ultras' hooligan gangs have been known to launch violent attacks on rival supporters at international fixtures, and with thousands of people from 16 nations attending, there is a risk of tensions breaking loose with such a foreign presence in the region. Black, Asian, Russian & German visitors should be particularly vigilant against far-right nationalist groups linked to these gangs.

The relevant authorities are well aware of these potential troublemakers, and are taking the appropriate security measures in preparation to the ensure the safety of visiting supporters. In general, common sense such as staying in large numbers of your own fans and being within a visible police-supervised presence are simple measures that should keep you well away from any risks of getting into any sort of danger on match days.